Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Wishes

Happy Easter!  I hope you have a chance to spend time with family, friends, and those who mean the most to you {smile}.  We are heading out the door, to go on an Easter Egg Hunt with 4 of our grandchildren.  It's pretty exciting!  and then we will be sitting down to Easter dinner.  Yum!
But, before I get on the road, I wanted to share with you an Easter card I made.  Ok, I actually made 6.  They are all packaged and in the car waiting.  (a lot of family will be at this years Easter Egg Hunt.)

I used a beautifully constructed sketch by Retro Sketches.  A lot of potential!  You can keep it clean and simple, or really add layers.  This sketch would be easy to do a shabby chic or vintage style card, too!  The possibilities are endless!


I did move the top layer over a bit.  So, if this doesn't qualify for the challenge, I totally understand.


I had a difficult time trying to find some suitable pattern paper for easter, and just couldn't find one I really liked.  So, I used digital pattern paper.  All these pattern papers are digital.  Even the bunny ticket.  The only stamping I did was the sentiment.  I added a button and bow with cream twine.  And to give the card a little visual interest I added a trio of half faux pearls.

a pink version
a green version

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you get a chance to play along with the sketch challenge over @ Retro Sketches.


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Birthday Wishes for A Sister

I'm running out the door, so excuse me for a short and quick post.  
I made a greeting card for a super good friend.  We are so close and so 'alike' that we consider our selves sisters {smile}.  We love the same foods, music, men, hobbies, and more.  But, we have one thing that we are complete opposites: card making.  She is not a big fan of pink, or a girly-girl style like me.   So, making her birthday card, more for her, and not my typical style, was a bit different for me.  I needed to have a specific focus and keep my head into the game plan for her card.
I stopped by Mojo Monday #341 for a sketch.  That way, I didn't have to struggle too much.


here is what I created:



I used various pattern papers.  I did add some machine stitching.  I sponged all the edges with a kraft color ink.  Hope she likes it {smile}.  I hope you get a chance to play along in this and other challenges!  Good luck!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Save the Date, Mom

~ photo heavy post ~

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I am.  I wake up early this morning, because I had a paper crafting idea in my head and I just had to create it {smile}! Had that ever happen to you?   
When I was in Pheonix, I stopped into a vintage, shabby chic style shop, and picked up some gorgeous, and I do mean gorgeous! pattern paper by Teresa Collins: Save the Date.  So, I am set off to craft, and craft I did!  However, I had one little major hiccup.  No sticky strip/scor-tape.  And that is not like me.  I actually went into town yesterday to get some errands done.  And picking up more sticky strip/scor-tape, was one of the errands that I just didn't get around to doing.   Not that I didn't have time, just no motivation.  It was getting late and the thought of running into one more store and standing in one more line was over-whelming, and that errand was skipped {frown}.  So, neither of these two crafts are complete.  So, photographing them, was a bit of a struggle.

here is what I made:


and here are some close-ups:

This is not a card, exactly.  It's another one of those card-gift combo.  I just love making these {smile}.  
I added a soft, gentle brown plaid ribbon to hold the gift box closed.  I didn't want the ribbon to compete with the pattern paper.  I wanted a ribbon that matched, but gets lost with the large flourish pattern paper.

For the top of this tilted piece, I wanted to add something special.  So, I cut a paper doily, and machine sewed some aqua mist dyed seam binding across the top.  I added a multi-loop bow and a pearl brad.
I really wanted to show-off the aqua mist color.  I think it really it's a beautiful shade, and the coral floral print really pops against the aqua pieces {smile}.

I used Soft Suede card stock, by Stampin' Up! to create the outside, main piece.  I used the large flourish pattern as the main panel.  
I used Aqua Mist card stock, to matt the center, main panel.  I thought it really made the floral pattern paper pop!  I love roses, and the colors in this pattern paper is so inviting and refreshing against the cold weather.
I added two rows of machine stitching.  I purposely didn't make straight lines, to give a home-made look.
The reverse side of the rose pattern paper, is this beautiful aqua lattice print.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of soft suede card stock.

The leaves were cut from soft suede card stock.  I thought it added a beautiful contrast.  I added three blossoms: Aqua, Coral, and Vanilla.  To add a little pizzazz, I brushed some Picket Fence distress paint along the tips of the petals and added some dazzling diamond glitter.
For the sentiment, I stamped 'happy mother's day' in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink.  I thought soft suede classic ink looked too dark.

And, a card I created with the same pattern paper: Save the Date.



This card, is roughly a copy of the card-box combo I created above.  I did do a 'less is more' concept of this card.  I did the same style of machine stitching on the floral pattern paper.  
I added a decorative edge to the soft suede matt and the aqua lattice pattern paper.  
I added the soft, brown plaid ribbon to the card front.  I tied it in a simple bow sideways, to allow room for a coral colored paper blossom.  I cut some leaves from Aqua Mist card stock.  I added some Picket Fence crackle paint and dazzling diamond glitter to the edges of the blossom and leaves.
A simple, but pretty Mother's Day card, made with some very beautiful pattern paper by Tersea Collins {smile}.  Stay tuned, I will be creating more crafts with these pattern papers.

Thank you for stopping by.  Both of these items will be for sale at my May Craft Fairs.  
I'll have more photos of more crafts soon.  Take care.  I hope you have a chance to craft, and create something beautiful this week!  I need to start working on some Easter themed paper crafts tomorrow {smile}.



Saturday, April 12, 2014

Shades of Pink

Happy Saturday!  I hope you are doing well.  I am always busy crafting something.  I have come to accept that simple fact.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I am not complaining!  I actually love the whole experience of creating something.  Anything.  Party favors.  Cards.  Journals.  Calendars.  Whatever.  Just getting the time to sit, and craft is a pure joy!
I am hosting a card making class today, Back to Basics.  This class is just a refresher course (so to speak) on getting folks back to stamping, or to introduce them to stamping.  I have my samples made.  Really like what I did.  But I had one small (ok, in reality, not so small) glitch.  It turns out that I don't have a venue to host this event.  Some plans/arrangements fell threw.  So, in a last minute crunch, a sweet, and dear friend had saved the day!  Yahoo!  So, I definitely need to make her a card to say 'Thank You' at least, right?  Right! and so I did.  And I just love how it turned out!  Let me show you:


Now, before you start analyzing my card.  Let me first say, that I did NOT come up with this idea.  I actually saw a card on Pinterest here, and basically copied it.  I did change the colors slightly, and the sentiment, but short of that I didn't have the original idea.  Oh, and everything I used, is current from Stampin' Up!
Here is the card recipe:  The card base and front panel are Pink Pirouette card stock.   I used two pink inks to create the ombre coloring:  Strawberry Slush, and Blushing Bride classic inks.  I used a sponge to color the pink pirouette card stock.  I started with the darkest pink at the top of the main panel piece, and then added blushing bride ink to the sponge as I went down the main panel piece.  So that at the bottom of the main panel piece, there is no added ink.
To create the random dots, I used a stylus and the polka dot embossing folder as my guide.  Simply open your embossing folder, and place your vellum on the side that has the indentations, and use the stylus to color-in the polka dot.  Do this randomly.  (the deeper you press your stylus into the vellum, the whiter the polka dot.)  I used the Stampin' Up! glue stick, and applied glue to the back side of the vellum, and adhered it to the front of the main panel.  
For the sentiment, I just stamped the words in Versa Mark ink, and dusted white embossing powder over the ink.  Tapped off the excess powder, and used my heat tool to set the embossing powder.
I used a long piece of the new Silver Baker's Twine and wrapped it around the top of the main panel and tied a large bow.
To create the blossoms, I used the four petal blossom from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, and the Floral Fusion Sizzlits.  I used whisper white, pink pirouette, and strawberry slush card stocks.  I then simply stacked the pieces and fluffed the petals.  I added a pearl to the center of each blossom, to repeat the polka dot pattern.  I adhered the blossoms in 'empty' spaces, so I wouldn't cover-up any of the polka dots.
This is a simple card, but I think it's really pretty!  I imagine that it would look equally stunning in blues, or greens, or even a grey/black combo!

Well, thank you for looking, and stopping by.  I'll post the cards we make in todays class tomorrow.  So stay tuned!  Also, I am hosting another card making class next month, on how to use up some of those scrap pieces of pattern paper that you just can't let go of.  Tickets for this event are not available yet.  But, as soon as they are, I will post a link and some photos of those cards.


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Birthday Wishes From the Heart

What a crazy week.  I returned from Phoenix, Arizona Sunday evening, and have spent the last few days getting caught up on household chores.  So, I haven't spent too much  time in my craft room.  But, I was able  to sneak away, and create this evening {smile}.
One of the sketch challenge blog sites that I religiously visit is Retro Sketches.  These lovely, talented ladies have a creative perspective on paper crafting.  Their sketches are simple.  But, your interpretation doesn't have to be.  
here is this week's sketch:



here is what I created:


I used Aqua Mist card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  Love this color.  It's a sweet, soft blue, with a tinge of green.  I felt that the card stock was too smooth.  Is that possible?  Anyways, I'm not a fan of CAS.  So, I added a piece of textured Pool Party card stock from Stampin' Up!.  The colors aren't exact matches, but the slight differences do make a good pair.
I cut a piece of the 'Save the Date' Bouquet by Teresa Collins (winter 2014) to create the rectangle piece.  I matted it with a scrap piece of Soft Suede card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The thing that really caught my eye about this paper is the beautiful coral-ish colored roses.  The mint green leaves.  The tan stripes.  The tiny brown blossoms.  and the texture!  
I added a small scrap piece of light brown plaid ribbon to the lower left corner.  I attached the ribbon with a staple, and then added a white vintage button.
The sentiment piece was created with the stamp set and matching dies: Vintage Labels by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the outline in Soft Suede classic ink.  The sentiment is from the Signature Dress Form stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.  I added a small piece of paper doily to the bottom portion.  I punched a heart shape from  the 'Save the Date' Ikat by Teresa Collins (winter 2014).  I adhered the heart with foam tape.  I added a button to the center of the heart with a glue dot.  To finish the card, I added a trio of facet cut faux half pearls.
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to play along with the talented ladies over @ Retro Sketches.


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Just Because in Shabby Chic

~ photo heave post ~

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I apologize for being a bit absent, but I was under the weather.  So much so, that I actually went to the doctor's office, and was not able to post for my #100 days of happiness {frown}.
So, today is my new start of my 100 days of happiness, and an entry to two paper craft challenges {smile}.  Now, onto my paper craft for today.  I created a card.  I wasn't sure as to what the sentiment should be, or would be.  So, I kept it simple, and open:  Just Because.
I just love the sketches over @ Mojo Monday so it was only obvious that I stop there and use this weeks sketch: #340


One of the great things about the internet, is that it allows you to connect with a wide variety of folks from different corners of the world.  I follow, and am followed by other crafts from a variety of countries, and thanks to google translator, I am able to communicate with these super talented crafters.  One of the challenge blog sites that I stalk follow, is from Russia: Shabby Chic.  Here is the current color challenge:


Just look at these beautiful colors and graphics for this challenge.  (It is open until April 15th, 2014)

here is what I made:



I used Blushing Bride for the pink, Pear Pizzazz for the green, Pool Party for the blue, all from Stampin' Up!  Now, for the card recipe:  All card stock edges have been sponged with crumb cake classic ink (including the leaves).
I started with  Blushing Bride card stock for the card base.  I had a scrap piece of this beautiful kraft-neutral colored pattern paper from Recollections, and thought it added a little bit of elegance, without taking away from the main panel.
The main panel for this card, that is tilted, is actually a digital paper I purchased last week.  I love the mix of colors, patterns, text, and graphics.  

I ran the main panel through my sewing machine, to add some character, and a little country charm.  I purposely sewn a crooked line.  And it is actually harder not to sew a straight line {smile}. 
I cut a paper doily in half and adhered it to the top third of the digital paper.  To help 'hold' the doily in place, I wrapped a length of Blushing Bride stitch ribbon around the digital paper.  I tied a simple bow with cream twine and added a multi-loop bow of the blushing bride ribbon.
The sketch doesn't have the doily shape, but I thought it added a softness, and a feminine piece.  I thought the cream twine added a little country charm to the bow.


The blossoms were actually hand-made from white crepe paper.  I used a sponge to add color.  To create the blossom, I punched out several 5-petal shapes.  I used a sponge to 'color' the white crepe paper.  I stacked the blossom pieces and crinkled them.  The blue blossom has 7 blossom pieces stacked.  The pink blossom has 5 blossom pieces stacked.  And the green blossom has 3 blossom pieces stacked.

I used a leaf die to create the leaf stem.  I used a scrap piece of pear pizzazz polka dot pattern paper, that has been retired from Stampin' Up!.  I used my 2-way glue pen to add some adhesive to the sides of the 'leaves' and sprinkled on some dazzling diamond glitter.
The banner pieces is from Maya Road.  I just love this layered, stitched piece.  I stamped the sentiment in Staz-On ink in a dark brown.  
Finally, I added three random sequins, and one silver glitter butterfly.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful for both of these challenge sites.  This card will be available to purchase at my craft fairs in May, 2014.  Hope to see you there!


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Blissful Wedding Wishes

Oh, my face is red.  I was suppose to post this card on Monday, for you to look at.  But, I got busy and a bit side tracked.  Anyways, I needed a card for a good friends daughter wedding.  So, I went to two of my favorite challenge sites for inspiration and direction.
My first stop was Cardabilities #96.  I stopped there for their sketches.  I just love them!


Ok, now i need a bit of inspiration and a few requirements.  So, I headed over to another favorite challenge blog:  the Shabby Tea Room.  This challenge blog has some great design team members.
Here is their inspirational photo and requirements:


the theme for this challenge blog is Pretty in Pink.  The required elements are: white and/or cream, pink, green, flowers, lace and/or ribbon.  
Once I saw this inspiration photo, I just fell in love with the fabric blossoms.  They are so gorgeous! and the layers of lace and trim is so pretty, too!


Another card, that I didn't do a lot of stamping.  Just the sentiment: Love.  I distressed the edges of the tag with a sponge and classic ink.
I used a font pattern paper by Melissa Frances for the main panel.  I just love this paper.  It's so vintage.  I added some machine stitching along the edges, to add some home-made-ness to it {smile}.
I added a paper doily to the top of the card.  I wrapped a piece of retired lace trim across the card front.  I machine sewn some light green seam binding across the lace trim.  I thought it added a sweet touch.

I tied on a multi-loop bow using the light green seam binding.  I tied a button and sentiment tag to the bow with some cream twine.  
I tucked two cream fabric blossom shapes in with the pink blossoms.  
I added a white button just below the large pink blossom.
I added some fabric blossoms to the front of the card.  
I added three tiny silver glitter butterflies and three clear sequins.  I think this card turned out sweet, and perfect for a bridal shower.

Now, head over to these two challenge blogs, get inspired, and play along!
this card was selected as an honorable mention over @ the Shabby Tea Room, here.

thank you #339 & #234

Welcome.  I wanted to make a 'thank you' card for a sweet friend, and had a difficult time starting.  So, I went looking around the web, for some inspiration and direction.  I stumbled upon Mojo Monday #339 to see what their sketch looked like this week. 


I have to admit, that I don't generally make this size card.  So, why not!  Then, I wanted a little more inspiration/direction, so I headed over to the Just Us Girls Challenge.  And since March had 5 weeks in the month, this week is a wild card.  Here is their requirement.


I didn't do a lot of stamping on this card.  Just the sentiment; thank you.


I made a shabby chic style card.   My card is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".  
I used some 'old' mother's day pattern paper from Authentique.  I used my sewing machine to adhere the green pattern paper to the Blush Blossom card stock.  I added two rows of stitching, and purposely made them 'random'.  
I also distressed the edges with ink and sponge, and the blade of a pair of scissors.

I matted my two narrow panels with Pistachio Pudding card stock.  I added some machine stitching.  I also distressed all the edges, in the same manner of the card base.  I wanted to add some height for the narrow panels, so I adhered them to the card front with foam tape.
I wrapped a light green seam binding around the decorative label piece, and tied it in a multi-loop bow.  I added a white 'flower' to the center of the bow.
The sentiment is stamped in crumb cake classic ink.  The stamp set I used, has been retired for over 5 years: Noteworthy.
I wanted to add some sparkle, but wanted something that blended in the background, so I used clear, iridescent sequins.
I added a trio of faux half pearls for the repeated circle images.  
I am pretty happy with how my card turned out.
I hope that you have an opportunity to play along in either, or both, of these great challenges.  I know that I did {smile}.



Back to Basics

Howdy.  Welcome.  Do you live/work in the Albuquerque, New Mexico are, and are you interested in possibly making your own cards, making scrapbook pages, creating altered journals, crafting you own paper flowers, or just want to make some pretty, unique tags?  Or, do you already have these skill sets, and just want to join a new, fun, group of  paper crafting ladies?  Then I have a perfect 'class' for you.  
Next Saturday, April 12, 2014 I am hosting a paper craft class.  In this class you will make 2 cards, utilizing two different, but easy techniques.  I will supply all the materials needed to create these two cards.  The cost of the class is $5, to cover supplies.  Purchase your ticket to this event HERE.  However, if you place a $25 Stampin' Up! order (with me) your class fee will be refunded.  So, take a class with me, place an order to get some needed paper crafting supplies, and meet some ladies who love to stamp and paper craft!
Currently I have the location for this class at my daughter's house.  However, please be advised that the location can change.  If so, I will contact all ticket holders personally.